A player who spent time on loan at Sheffield Wednesday last season is now flying in Serie A.
Sheffield Wednesday had mixed results in the transfer market last season, particularly in the loan market.
The Owls signed several names during the 2023 summer transfer window, such as Jeff Hendrick and John Buckley to name a couple, though neither impressed.
The January transfer window proved much more successful with Ian Poveda, Ike Ugbo, and James Beadle all joining, and all playing a huge role in the final run-in.
This summer’s transfer business has marked a huge shift in focus. Danny Rohl wants younger players and ones who can keep up with the intense, fast-paced style of play at Hillsborough.
Names like Svante Ingelsson and Yan Valery have settled in well and become really crucial players, whilst loan pair Beadle and Shea Charles are impressing too.
And now, one of last season’s loan flops is now impressing in the Italian top flight; Devis Vasquez.
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Devis Vasquez shining for Empoli in Serie A
Vasquez, 26, was a tricky one for Sheffield Wednesday last season; he was favoured by Xisco Munoz but not by Rohl, and he eventually returned to parent club Milan in the January.
He headed out on loan to Ascoli in the Serie B for the second half of last season. But going into this season, Vasquez joined Empoli on loan.
Vasquez had plenty of interest but sealed an exciting Serie A move, and Empoli have so far reaped the rewards.
Colombian Vasquez has the joint-most clean sheets in Serie A so far, having kept four in seven Serie A games, which is the same amount as Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio.
Empoli are also proving to be a surprise package in the Italian top flight this season, boasting the second best defensive record behind only Juventus once again.
Sheffield Wednesday may have missed a trick with Devis Vasquez
Whilst Beadle is a good goalkeeper, he’s not going to be at Hillsborough for much longer. He’ll leave at the end of the season and Rohl will need a new no.1.
Pierce Charles would be the likely replacement. But unless he goes out on loan in January, he’ll have to make a huge step up to become a Championship no.1 come next season.
So for Wednesday, Vasquez seems like a possible miss. He showed good glimpses last season and if he was given the whole season, he could’ve really shone, and Wednesday could eventually pursued a permanent deal for a goalkeeper who’s clearly got ability.
Either way, he’s finally fulfilling his potential at 26, after what’s been a tough few years.